oe is delighted that he is doing the exercise correctly. He wants to do more. He begins to reduce his breathing further by deliberately tensing his tummy muscles. He tenses the muscles in his tummy to reduce his breathing. He puts the brakes on his breathing. This creates tension and a far stronger air shortage. His tummy starts to jerk and his breathing rhythm becomes very disrupted.
Buteyko: “Joe, the most effective way to reduce your breathing is not through deliberate efforts. Do not try to constrict your breathing movements by tensing the tummy or chest muscles. Breathing is not something that can be forced into place.
“By encouraging your body, chest, and tummy to relax, your breathing will automatically quieten. This alone can create a need for air. If it does not, then encourage your breathing to become quieter and calmer. Encourage your breathing to slow down and relax. Encourage your breathing to reduce through your thoughts and inner relaxation. But don’t tense your breathing muscles to create the need for air.”